Yolo County Biographies
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Uriah J. WALLER
Frontier scenes and pioneer experiences left an indelible impress upon the mind
of Mr. Waller, who now, in the eventide of a useful existence, finds pleasure in
reviewing events of the past and in contrasting the isolation of that era with
the conveniences of the present. Born in Illinois in 1836, he recalls that
great commonwealth as it appeared in the infancy of its industrial and
agricultural development. Memory likewise brings to him thoughts of the
excitement caused by news of the discovery of gold in California and, as he
played, a barefoot boy of thirteen years, around the home farm or assisted in
work suited to his strength, he constantly dwelt upon the opportunities afforded
by the then unknown west. However, it was not until 1858 that it became
possible for him to come across the plains. Having previously married Miss
Amelia Gum in Illinois, he and his young wife were induced to come to the coast
through favorable reports received from her father, Jehu Gum, who had traveled
over mountains and deserts in 1852 and had reached the golden west after a
tedious journey with wagons and oxen. The sturdy pioneer had settled in Willow
slough near Woodland, Yolo county, and there for years he lived and labored,
meeting with a success amply merited by his frugality and industry. Upon
disposing of his ranch in 1882 he removed to Oregon and remained in that state
for eight years. Returning to Woodland, he purchased a little home in this city
and here in 1901 his well-spent life reached the end of its quiet calendar.
When the young couple started across the plains with a view to joining her
father in Yolo county, they put themselves under the care of a large expedition
and traveled with ox-teams as far as Salt Lake City. For the purpose of
hastening the remainder of the journey, they traded the oxen for horses at the
great Mormon stronghold and on their arrival in California they sold the horses
for $500 a pair. During the temporary pause at Placerville Mr. Waller assisted
in building a hotel with timber cut from the great native forests. From there
they came on to Yolo county and soon after their arrival they settled upon a
quarter-section near Davisville, well adapted to the raising of grain. Selling
the property in 1864, they removed to a ranch at Buckeye and remained on that
place until it was sold in 1872. Not long afterward Mr. Waller drove a large
herd of cattle into Modoc county and remained there until 1875, when he disposed
of the stock to good advantage. Upon his return to Yolo county he rented a
ranch and resumed agricultural activities. His last experience as a ranch was
on a tract of thirty acres near Woodland, where he conducted a dairy business
and with the aid of his capable wife built up an established reputation for fine
dairy products. During 1909 he retired from the laborious duties of dairying
and removed to a comfortable cottage on Fifth street, Woodland, where he and his
wife are passing their declining days in peace and comfort. Of their five
children all survive with the exception of George. The living sons are Jehu and
Lewis, while the daughters are Mrs. Mary Dutcher, who has four children and
resides in Woodland, and Mrs. Theresa Hensley, also a resident of this place.
Transcribed by Bea Barton
Source: �History of Yolo County, California� by Tom Gregory. Published by the
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913, pages 738 � 739.